‘They had been married for 44 years, happily married, yet he had not shed tears at the funeral, or since.
Anne had left him quietly and in the natural way of things. Although sad, he had accepted her passing without fuss. He wondered about his reaction and had fully expected there to be some deferred effect, but this had not been so.
He moved on, slowly, reluctantly, before arriving at Charlie’s simple, white headstone. His great grandson, six weeks old. A simple inscription from his heartbroken parents and angels watching over Charlie from the corner of the headstone. As he knew there would be, tears streamed from Hedley’s eyes as he shook his head, turned, and walked away.’
From ‘A Jersey Midsummer Tale’
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Roy, this snippet is a great example of the lovely way you have of writing your historical fiction with an authentic descriptive “voice”, not the same descriptive voice found in your contemporary novels like the Barrys. “Anne had left him quietly and in the natural way of things” puts the reader back in time so effortlessly. I love it. And I love the novels! 🙂
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Thank you Jane, that’s kind 🙂 Out of interest I took a photo of ‘Charlie’s’ gravestone today, the one that inspired that passage. In the end, out of respect to the family, I didn’t use it in this post.
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This is such a beautiful excerpt, Roy. Thanks for sharing it along with the gorgeous photograph.
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Thank you Jill. ‘Midsummer’ wasn’t my best effort but it had its moments.
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Oh heck – that made me cry! First thing on a Monday morning too! Beautiful writing. The churchyard looks lovely and so beautifully kept.
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Thank you Angela, music to a writer’s ears 🙂 Jersey’s parish churches generally are beautiful, evocative and sensitively looked after. St Martin’s feels rather sadder than some though.
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One of the abiding memories from my trip to Jersey was coming upon lovely churches in the countryside! You are very fortunate to have such inspirational places.
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There is always something particularly sad about a child’s grave – a life ended before it has really begun. Lovely writing.
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So right ER. Death is natural but the death of a child before his/her parents is too sad. Thank you.
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You are such an eloquent writer, Roy. You evoke stillness and emotion with this excerpt.
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Thank you Juliann, that’s very kind. ‘Midsummer’ isn’t my best effort but it had its moments I think.
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This is so beautifully written, Roy, and often we forget that we all must die. A long life lived well is not something to grieve over. I lingered over some children’s graves in the Yellow Fever cemetery in Mobile, Alabama. Such short lives.
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Thanks Kerry. Nothing sadder than a life taken prematurely.
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Exquisite tender writing and a terrific excerpt, Roy! The photo added to the pathos and atmosphere across the post!
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Thank you so much Annika 🙂
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